Comment

Comment by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on August 10, 2012 at 4:05pm

That cages stop tilapia reproduction is one of their advantages (the eggs fall through as you say). Cages are not normally used in hobby situations. However in commercial operations the last thing you want is your fish breeding. First if they are breeding, the females are not growing. Secondly, you are feeding billions (well a lot) of babies thus messing with your FCR (food conversion ratios) increasing operational costs, decreasing the growth rates of the fish you want to grow and decreasing profitability. This is why in most cases all male populations are preferred. Cages allow you to bring your tilapia to size even when you have females present. As you suggest John, cages also allow you to have different age classes growing within one water body and significantly ease harvesting, feeding and management. Here is a link regarding cage culture in Az you might find of interest.

Link: http://bit.ly/aDpeAY

Comment by John Malone on August 10, 2012 at 3:21pm

Adjustable Fish Tank

Maybe a simpler way all around would be fish cages within the fish tank.   Yup - I've just invented the fish cage; the same one that all the commercial fisheries use for ocean farming.   Ah well - it felt like an original idea at the time.

It's got some merit though.   Several different cages for different purpose.   Large fish, small fish, breeder group...

Hmmmmmm..... (again)

Comment by John Malone on August 10, 2012 at 3:18pm

@Bob C

Have you considered putting a false floor in your fish tank, such as a well fitted stiff plastic mesh?

That way you can keep the water volume, and it's associated benefits, and keep the fish up where you can see them.   With a bit of thought you could have it adjustable so that you could raise and lower to whatever height you wanted.   It would make for a great way to get at the fish for inspection or catching.    Pull on the string and 'Voila!' fish sitting in 6" of water ready for whatever you need.

Now that I think about it, I might just have to do that for myself...   Hmmmmm.....

Comment by John Malone on August 10, 2012 at 3:10pm

@Brian re Test Kit

Almost everyone I know uses the API Freshwater Master Test Kit.

It's dead easy to use and lets you know what is going on.

Note:  I think I affected my ammonia test solutions by leaving the kit outside in the Phoenix summer.   As a result the ammonia test was giving spurious results. I'm keeping the kit inside now and have replaced the ammonia solutions, which are available separately.

Comment by Bob Campbell on August 10, 2012 at 3:03pm

@Brian - The most common test kit is API.  You will get the best prices online, but don't forget to support your local aquarium store once in a while because it's very handy to have knowledgeable people to talk to and a place to buy stuff quick. 

I think Hagen's Nutarfin master test kit has more tests than API's Master test kit but it's more expensive.  I use Hagen to test for Iron.

Comment by Brian Perkins on August 10, 2012 at 2:56pm

Anyone willing to make a water test kit recommendation?

Brian

Comment by Bob Campbell on August 10, 2012 at 2:31pm

Here is a test of the pumice in the fish tank.  Looks like it will work well.

Comment by Scott Bloom on August 10, 2012 at 12:29pm

@Bob - called Baker back, they use to sell pumice in bulk, but now they only sell it by the bag.  So if anyone has a connection to get it by the Cu Yd I would appreciate the connection.

Comment by Bob Campbell on August 10, 2012 at 11:18am

@Scott

@Bob - Thanks found them,

Pumice stone, 1 cubic ft $11.+

1 Cu Ft?   I'm paying $28.00 / Cu Yd.

Do they sell it by the Yard?  

It's mined in Arizona and California.  It has to be less expensive than that.

Comment by Scott Bloom on August 10, 2012 at 10:41am

Backyard Garden Aquaponics - $1500 (101 & I-17)

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/for/3188363719.html

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